A review of bodily dysfunction in depression: Empirical findings, theoretical perspectives, and implications for treatment

TY - JOUR

T1 - A review of bodily dysfunction in depression

T2 - Empirical findings, theoretical perspectives, and implications for treatment

AU - Mikkelsen, Mai B.

AU - O'Toole, Mia S.

PY - 2023/3/23

Y1 - 2023/3/23

N2 - Emotional disturbances arewell-recognized features of depression and contemporary psychotherapeutic programs offer a variety of treatment strategies directly targeting these disturbances (e.g., cognitive restructuring, decentering, acceptance). In addition to emotional disturbances, evidence increasingly points to depression also being characterized by profound bodily dysfunction. The goal of the present article is to evaluate the potential of bodily dysfunction as a treatment target in interventions aimed at alleviating emotional problems in depression. We begin by delineating two of the major yet diverging theoretical predictions about the role of the body in and for emotions.We then reviewevidence of bodily dysfunction in depression with a focus on inflammation, endocrine functioning, the motoric system (i.e., posture and movement), physiological reactivity, and interoception. In our review, we (a) present cross-sectional research investigating differences between healthy and clinical groups, (b) describe experimental evidence, looking at acute and long-term effects of manipulation of bodily parameters on symptoms of depression, and (c) explore longitudinal evidence on how bodily dysfunction may or may not normalize upon successful pharmacological or psychological treatment of depression. We conclude by discussing how bodily dysfunction may be shaping and constraining the emotional lives of depressed individuals and outlining how treatment aimed at alleviating emotional problems in depression may benefit from targeting bodily dysfunction.

AB - Emotional disturbances arewell-recognized features of depression and contemporary psychotherapeutic programs offer a variety of treatment strategies directly targeting these disturbances (e.g., cognitive restructuring, decentering, acceptance). In addition to emotional disturbances, evidence increasingly points to depression also being characterized by profound bodily dysfunction. The goal of the present article is to evaluate the potential of bodily dysfunction as a treatment target in interventions aimed at alleviating emotional problems in depression. We begin by delineating two of the major yet diverging theoretical predictions about the role of the body in and for emotions.We then reviewevidence of bodily dysfunction in depression with a focus on inflammation, endocrine functioning, the motoric system (i.e., posture and movement), physiological reactivity, and interoception. In our review, we (a) present cross-sectional research investigating differences between healthy and clinical groups, (b) describe experimental evidence, looking at acute and long-term effects of manipulation of bodily parameters on symptoms of depression, and (c) explore longitudinal evidence on how bodily dysfunction may or may not normalize upon successful pharmacological or psychological treatment of depression. We conclude by discussing how bodily dysfunction may be shaping and constraining the emotional lives of depressed individuals and outlining how treatment aimed at alleviating emotional problems in depression may benefit from targeting bodily dysfunction.

KW - bodily dysfunction

KW - depression

KW - embodiment

KW - emotion

KW - psychotherapy

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85158164037&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1037/int0000302

DO - 10.1037/int0000302

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1053-0479

VL - 33

SP - 321

EP - 339

JO - Journal of Psychotherapy Integration

JF - Journal of Psychotherapy Integration

IS - 3

ER -